She was born on May 6, 1942 in Saginaw, MI to the late Carl and Mary (Smith) Wieneke.Mary Ellen graduated first in her nursing class and spent over thirty years as a registered nurse in ophthalmology. After moving to Kiawah, she volunteered as a nurse for over five years at the Barrier Island Free Medical Clinic. Mary Ellen loved being a wife, mother and grandmother. She loved herb gardening and her travels around the world. She was especially proud and deeply loved her four granddaughters: Shelby, Emma, Kate and Caroline as well as the six grandchildren she inherited upon her marriage to Ron.

While somewhat quiet and reserved, Mary Ellen was blessed with an abundance of qualities that few could equal – devoted, compassionate, honest, putting the needs of others first, respectful of varied opinions, and never saying no to the needs of others. She brought all these traits to both her professional career and her eleven year marriage to Ron – a blessing he will forever cherish. As one friend said “God threw away the mold after he created Mary Ellen. She was his ultimate creation.”

She is survived by her husband Ronald Ritchie of Mt. Pleasant; children, Michele Dorsey and her husband Van, Cristin Keller; brothers Carl Wieneke and his wife Lori, Jerry Wieneke and his wife Marcia; sister, Ann Coleman and her husband David. She is also survived by Ron’s children Craig Ritchie and his wife Amy and Eric Ritchie and his wife Suzanne.

The Celebration of Life Service will be held Thursday, February 1, 2018 at 10:00 AM, at McALISTER-SMITH FUNERAL HOME, MT. PLEASANT. The inurnment will follow at Mepkin Abbey, Moncks Corner South Carolina.